Electric apparatus



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ELECTRIC APPARATUS Filed March 15, 1930 4 Shets-Sheet 4' E I 90. $0 2M cww au.

(Ittorneg Patented Dec. 15, 1931 uuii'ao STATES PATENT OFFICE WALTER J. SPENGLER, F SIDNEY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO SCINTILLA. MAGNETO COI- PANY, INC., 01' SIDNEY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ELECTRIC AIPAB-ATUS Application filed larch 15, 1930. Serial No. 436,192.

This invention relates to electrical generating apparatus and more particularly to generators of the magneto-electric type.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel magneto for use in supplying ignition current to an-internal combustion engine.

Another object is to provide a magneto embodying a novel arrangement of parts adapted to deliver a plurality of sparks substantially simultaneously, the parts being so arranged that a relatively light and compact structure is obtained.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel magneto embodying a single magnetic rotor adapted to simultaneously cooperate with a plurality of separate coil structures in combination with novel interrupting means therefor operable by said rotor.

A still further ob'ect is to provide novel magneto circuit making and breaking apparatus so constructed as to be easily-and quickly removable from the magneto.

Another objec is to provide magneto circuit making and breaking mechanism embodying a novel arrangement of parts whereby the same may be readily and quickly adapted for operation for either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the magneto.

Still another object is to provide in combination with a. magneto and circuit interrupting means therefor, novel means for lubricating the moving parts thereof.

Other objects and novel features of the invention will appear from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that. the drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be taken as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views:

Fi 1 is an axial section of a magneto embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view in elevation of the ma eto with one of the coil covers removed; ig. 4 is a partial side view in section of the circuit making and breaking mechanism and lubricating means therefor;

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the adjusting plates-constituting a mounting means for the circuit making and breaking mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the novel circuit making and breaking mechanism which may be employed in the structure constituting the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the magneto with the breaker housing removed and illustrating the novel lubricating means utilized in the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view partly in section and illustrating the internal connections of the terminal blocks; v

Fig. 9 is a side view of one of the terminal blocks; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section illustrating a modified form of the lubricating means for the cam adapted to actuate the circuit making and breaking mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the magneto constituting the present invention is illustrated as embodying a rotatable magnet 11 which is adapted to simultaneously cooperate with a pair of stationary coil structures 12 and 13 disposed on either side of the magnet.

As shown, the magnet 11 is housed within a substantially cylindrical frame member 14: having an upper contracted neck portion 15 and a cupped portion 16, the latter being adapted 'to house novel circuit making and breaking mechanism 17, to be hereinafter specifically described. The magnet 11 is provided. with suitable upper and lower stub shafts 18 and 19, the former being preferably rotatably supported in bearing 20 while the latter is rotatably mounted with respect to the frame member 1 1 as by means of the combined thrust and ball bearing 21, the outer race of which is securely maintained in proper position through cooperation of collars 22 and 23 closing the lower open end of the said frame member. Any suitable 'driving member such as that indicated at 24 may be secured to the shaft 19 in order to form a means for drivably connecting the magneto to a rotatable portion of an internal combustion engine.

The coil structures 12 and 13 are constituted respectively by primary'coils 25 and 26, and secondary coils 27 and 28 which are wound upon laminated cores or armatures 29 and 30. These armatures are magnetically connected to pole pieces 31, 32 and 33,34 respectively, which are adapted -to cooperate with laminated poles 35, 36, 37 and 38 of the magnet 11. As indicated in Fig. 2, the poles 36 and'37 may be north poles and poles 35 and 38 may be south poles in which case at the particular instant illustrated there will be a simultaneous flow of flux through the pole pieces and armatures in the direction indicated by the arrows shown in solid lines. However, after the magnetic rotor has made onequarter of a revolution, the position of the poles will be reversed and the flow of flux will then be that indicated by the arrows shown in dotted lines. It will therefore be seen that during one complete revolution of the rotor, four complete reversals of flux will occur through each coil structure and accordingly if the circuit of each primary coil is interrupted at the proper time, during each reversal, four spark-producing energy impulses will result in each secondary or high tension circuit, for every rotor revolution, the impulses in both of these circuits occurring substantially simultaneously depending upon the adjustment of the interrupter mechanism, each secondary circuit, however, being electrically independent of the other.

Novel circuit making and breaking mechanism'l? is provided for interrupting the circuit of-each primary coil in the manner indicated above and preferably said means is constituted in such a manner as to be readily removable as a unit from the magneto in a simple and eflicient manner. As shown, a breaker housing 39 is supported in the housing portion 16 and is maintained in operative position therein by means of aplurality of studs 40 (Figs. 1 and 7). Each of these studs is provided with a head securely fixed in the housing portion 16, Fig. 1, the shanks of the studs extending through slots 41 in the breaker housing and provided at their upper extremities with pins 42. A spring 43 the inner diameter of which isgreater than the length of pin 42 encircle's each of the studs and is adapted to hold the breaker housing 39 in proper position by being compressed between an upper lock nut 44 and a lower washer 45 which overlaps the edges of the slots 41. The lock nut is axially slotted as indicated at 46, Fig. 6, in such a manner that it may be slipped over theend of the stud, the pin 42 passing through the aforementioned slot. .As soon as the lock nut is beneath the pin it is turned soas to bring the pin into registry with depressions 46 in the top of the nut, the compressed spring then bein effective both to force the lock nut upward, causing the pin to be firmly seated in the aforementioned depressions, thus preventing the nut from turning and inadvertently allowing the spring to become inoperative, and to maintain the breaker housing in proper position. It'is here pointed out that because .of the slots 41 in the breaker housing, the latter is capable of limited adjustment with respect to'the magneto for a purpose which will appear more fully hereinafter.

Secured within the housing member 39 by any suitable means, such as screws 47, Figs. 4 and 5, are a pair of adjusting plates 48 each of which serves to support its own respective contact making and breaking mechanism and which also carries novel means whereby electrical connection and disconnection between said mechanism and its respective primary coil may be effected in a simple manner during insertion and removal of the housing member 39. In the form shown each of these plates 48 is roughly segmental in shape and is preferably grounded to the magneto frame through the screws 47'. Extending centrally through a boss 49 in each plate is a hollow shaft 50 adapted to form a pivot for a breaker lever 51. Intermediate the hub portion of lever 51 and shaft 50 there is provided an insulating sleeve 52 for the purpose of properly insulating the lever 51 from the grounded plate 48. Secured to the under side of each of the plates 48, as by means of rivets 53, is a metal bridge 54, which is preferably electrically connected through the said rivets to similar posts 55 and 56, Fig. 6, but insulated from the plate 48 in any suitable manner. The posts 55 and 56 are also insulated from the plate 48 by any convenient means. A contact brush 57 suitably secured to the bridge is employed for electrically connecting the primary coils and circuit making and breaking means in a simple and eificient manner, to be described more in detail hereinafter.

As shown, Fig. 6, the breaker lever 51 is formed with a hub portion and a pair of angularly related arms 58 and 59 the first named arm being adapted to carry a movable contact 60, while the other arm carries a cam follower61 resiliently urged by a leaf spring 63 into engagement at all times with a cam 62, said cam being suitably secured to the stub shaft 18, as indicated in Fig. 1. The leaf spring 63 is anchored at one end to a grounded post 64 and at the other to the lever 51.

Adjustably mounted on post 56 and electrically connected therewith is afixed contact 65 adapted to cooperate with the movable contact 60 carried by the arm 58, said arm being grounded through the leaf spring 63 and post 64. In order to adjust and limit the distance between contacts 60 and 65, the post quantity of absorbent heretofore stated each of the posts 55 and 56 are of similar construction and are electrically connected to the bridge 54 and brush 57 The contact and stop 66 are also supported by similar p'arts which are adapted to fit either of said posts. Lever 51 may be readily reversed on its pivot 50, a grounded anchor 67- being provided for securely holding the outer end of the spring in place and also for providing a ground for the movable contact when the lever is in such reversed position. It will therefore be understood from the above that in order to adapt the mechanism for operation during reverse rotation of the magneto it will only be necessary to interchange contact 65 and stop 66, reverse the lever 51 and remove the extremity of spring 63 from anchor 64 and secure same to the anchor 67 Novel means are provided for lubricat ing the bearing 20 and the circuit making and breaking mechanism and preferably such means is constituted in such a manner as to continuously supply a very small amount of lubricant to the parts, whereby excess lubrication and its accompanying undesired results are avoided. In the form shown such means include a pair of segmentally shaped chambers 68, formed in the magneto frame, Fi s. 4 and 7, and which are adapted to contain a packing 69, such as, for example, felt, a fitting being secured to the frame member 14 and communicating with one of said chambers whereby the packing may be soaked with lubricant. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the absorbent packing 69 is continuous from one chamber to the other, so that only a single fitting 70 is required, for impregnating the packing with lubricant. In order to maintain the packing in proper position there is provided a cover plate 71 roughly rectangular in shape which cooperates with the outer rim of chambers 68 and also with ledges 72", Fig/1. A wick 72 extends through'each of the, hollow shafts 50 and contacts with the packing whereby lubricant is transferred by capillary attraction, to the bearing surface of breaker levers 51 through radial openings 73 and 74 in the shaft. For supplying a limited amount of lubricant to the cam 62 a retainer 75, Fig. 1, is riveted to the under side of the cover plate 71 and carries a wick 76 communicating with the packing 69 and adapted to rub on the cam 62.

I In Fig. 10 there is illustrated another form of the means whereby lubricant may be conducted to the cam 62. As shown, the stub shaft 18 is provided with an axial groove 18 adapted to receive a wick 7 6 the upper and lower ends of which occupy holes or openings 62 and 62 formed in the wall of the cam 62. \Vhen the magneto is stationary, the wick takes up lubricant from the packing 69 which is distributed to the cam 62 and cam follower 61 during normal operation.

Means are provided for establishing an electrical connection between the insulated end of each primary coil and the brushes 57, and such means are preferably so constructed as to provide a high tension terminal and a ground terminal for the magneto, the latter being adapted to be connected to the usual grounding switch in order to render the magneto inoperative even though rotating. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention such means is constituted by a pair of terminal blocks 77, Fig. 1, preferably formed of insulating material and each positioned and secured adjacent the coil structures 12 and 13 in any suitable manner. Disposed interiorly of the terminal block 77 are metal inserts T8 and 79, Figs. 8 and 9, which are so disposed as to form the electrical connections referred to above. The metal strip 78 connects to gether an arm 80, connected with the insulated end of the primary coil, an internally threaded metal sleeve 81, and a segment 82 which may be made of brass or other suitable conducting material.' The high tension terminal of each secondary coil terminates in a brass button 83 to which one end of the metal insert 79 is connected through a contact 84, the other endof the insert being connected to a sleeve 85 suitably threaded to receive the cable connection 86 leadingv to the usual distributing mechanism. A cable connector 87 is fitted into the sleeve 81 and is connected to a magneto grounding switch, not shown, for the purpose of rendering the magneto inoperative. The upper portion 16 of the magneto frame is provided with a pair of openings 88, .Fig. 7, in order that the segments 82 may project therethrough to be in proper position to be engaged by the brushes 57 when the parts are assembled.

Preferably, after the parts are assembled, the coil structures 12 and 13 are housed within metal covers 89 secured as by means of suitable screws received by threaded holes 90, Fig. 3, to the magneto frame member, and which may be provided in certain instances with vents 91 if desired. A safety gap constituted by high tension terminal members 92 and grounded terminals 93, Fig. 1, may be advantageously employed in certain installations.

In Fig. 3, the laterally extending terminals 86 and 87 are shown as being provided with metal caps 94 the same being attachedto the frame and employed for the purpose of elec' trically shielding the said terminals from interference with adjacent radio apparatus. A protecting cover 95 is removably fitted to the housing 39 containing the circuit making and breaking mechanism, the said housing having diametrically opposed lugs 96 adapted to protrude through slots in the cover and in resilient members 97 attached thereto, fastening means 98 being thereafter inserted through openings 99 in the lugs for holding the cover in place.

In order to advance and retard the open ing and closing of the circuit making and breaking mechanism the housing 39 has integrally formed therewith a pair of ears 100 which may be manipulated by any suitable remote control means, not shown, to rotate the housing and mechanism secured therein in either direction, with respect to the cam 62, the extent of movement possible being limited by the extremities of the elongated slots 41. It is here pointed out that the adjusting plates 48, Fig. 5, are provided with slots 101 through which the screws 47 pass in order to secure each of said plates and the single breaker mechanism carried thereby to the housing 39. It will be understood that from this construction each of the plates 48 is capable of limited adjustment with respect to themagneto frame thus enabling the timing of the opening and closing of the contacts of one circuit making and .breaking mechanism to be slightly advanced or retarded with respect to the contacts of the other breaker. This is especially advantageous in the case of twinignition systems for internal combustion engines wherein best results are obtained if the two igniting devices in a single cylinder are not fired simultaneously. However, it is to be understood .that the invention is notlimited to such use, but may be employed for ignition systems wherein the igniting devices are-simultaneously energized, in which, case the plates 48 may be formed as one integral plate if desired.

There is thus provided by the present invention a-novel magneto wherein a single magnetic rotor cooperates with two separate and distinct coil structures whereby in a single structure there may be derived two independent sources of high tension electrical energy. Each of the electrical circuits 1. 'of

' the coils is provided with novel circuit making and breaking mechanism composed of parts which are easily manufactured and which may be readily reversed in order to adapt the magneto for operation during reverse rotation. Novel lubricating means for the upper rotor bearing and for the breaker mechanism is provided by the present inmaterial such as bakelized linen and ,pne end of the leaf spring electrically connected to the contact carried by the lever through a conducting strip, if desired. It is also' understood that though a magnetic rotor embodying four poles has been illustrated, it is within the scope of the invention to utilize rotors having any suitable number of poles. Various other changes in shape, size and relative location of the component parts of the apparatus may be resorted to, as well understood by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Reference will therefore be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits thereof.

What is claimed is 1. In a magneto of the type embodying a magnetic rotor adapted to cooperate with a plurality of coil structures the combination with said coil structures of a circuit breaker mechanism therefor, and means for electrically connecting said circuit breaker and coil structure including a metallic brush carried by said circuit breaker mechanism.

2. A magneto having a frame, a magnetic rotor rotatably mounted in said frame,a plurality of field members, a primary and secondary coil carried by each of said field members, a plurality of plates adjustably mounted on said frame each of said plates carrying a circuit making and breaking mechanism, and means for connecting each primary coil to its respective circuit making and breaking mechanism including a brush carried by each adjusting plate.

3. A magneto rotatably mounted with respect to said frame, a pair of stationary fieldime'mbers, a primary and secondary coil carried by each having a frame, -a magnet of said field members", a circuit breaker for field structures, primary and secondary coils carried thereby,.-a magnetic rotor adapted to simultaneously cooperatewith each of said field structures, a circuit breaker electrically connected with each of said primary coils, independent mounting means for each of said circuit breakers and means for adjusting each said means.

5. A supporting plate for circuit making and breaking apparatus comprising a substantially semi-circular metal member, a pair of metal posts on one side of said member, a metal bridge on the other side of said member, means for electrically connecting said bridge and posts, means for insulating said bridge and posts from said member and a contact brush carried by said bridge.

6. A circuit making and breaking apparatus for magnetos comprising a substantially semi-circular supporting plate, a pivot cen trally disposed with respect to said plate, a breaker lever'carried by said pivot, a movable contact carried by said lever, a stationary contact for cooperation with said movable contact, a post for supporting said stationary contact, a resilient member for normally maintaining said contacts closed, an anchor carried by said plate for supporting one end of said resilient member, means for reversing the-position of said lever for reverse operation of the magneto, and means for supporting said resilient member and stationary contact in'proper position when said breaker lever is reversed.

7. In a magneto of the type having a rotatable magnet and a plurality of coils, a frame for said magneto, a pair of diametrically opposed chambers formed in said frame, a circuit making and breaking mechanism carried by said frame and disposed above said chambers, absorbent materia-l in said chambers, means for conducting lubricant to said material, and means for conducting lubricant to said mechanism by capillary attraction said means including a wick in contact with said material.

8; In a magneto of the type embodying a magnetic rotor adapted to cooperate with a plurality of field structures each carrying a primary and a secondary coil, the combination with said primary coils of a circuit makmg and breaking mechanism therefor'comprising reversible parts permitting operation of said magneto during rotation in either direction.- i

9. A magneto comprising a plurality of field structures, primary and secondary coils carried thereby, a rotatable magnet adapted to simultaneously cooperate with each of said field structures, a circuit breaker mechanism associated with each of said primary coils, and separate supporting means for each of said mechanisms, each of said last named means including an adjusting plate,

10. Inamagneto having a rotatable member, a housing for said member, angularly adjustable circuit makin and breaking apparatus carried by said ousing, a bearing for said member within said housing, and

- means for lubricating said bearing and apparatus including a layer cf lubricant absorbent material disposed therebetween and means for conducting lubricant therefrom to said making and breaking apparatus and to said bearing.

11. In combination with amagneto having a housing, a plurality of circuit breaker mechanisms supported thereby, each of said mechanisms includin a breaker lever, a hollow shaft for pivota ly supporting each lever, a lubricant absorbent material disposed in the bore of said hollow shafts, openings in said shafts for establishing communication between the bore thereof and the hubs of said levers, and means for supplying lubricant to said material at a point'below said openings whereby lubricant is conducted to said hubs I by capillary attraction.

12. A supporting and adjusting plate for circuit making and breaking apparatus comprising'a substantially semi-circular metal member, a conducting bridge secured to but insulated from said member, and a contact brush attached to and carried by said bridge.

13. A circuit making and breaking apparatus for ma 'netos comprising a supporting plate, a breaker lever pivotally mounted on said plate, said lever having a pair of angularly related arms, a contact carried by one of said arms, a cam follower carried by the other of said arms, a stationary contact: a stationary stop cooperating with said last named arm, means for supporting said stationary contact and said stop, said means including a pair of postsso constructed as to interchangeably receive said stop and stationary contact, and means for' maintaining said lever in reversed position on its pivot when said stop and stationary contact are interchanged whereby the apparatus will be operable during operation of said magneto in a clockwise or in a counter-clockwise direction.

14. In combination with a magneto hav ing a circuit interrupting mechanism including a breaker lever, ahollow pivot for said lever, a lubricant absorbing material below said pivot, means for supplying lubricant to said material, and a wick disposed in said hollow pivot and communicating with said material to conduct lubricant to said breaker by capillary attraction.

' ing said rotor, a bearing for rotatably mounting said rotor in said frame, and means for "lubricating said bearing and breakers including a layer of absorbent material below said breakers and above said bearin and means 1 for conducting lubricant to sai material.

16. In a magneto having a pair of separate coil structures, a magnet c rotor adapted to simultaneously cooperate with each-structure, a cam drivably connected with said rotor, a

pair of circuit breakers operated by said cam and means for lubricating said breakers and cam including an absorbent packing, and means for supplying lubricant to said packmg.

17. In a magneto having a primary and secondary coil, circuit breaker means and a unitary terminal block for connect-ing said breaker and primary comprising an insulating member, a metal strip embedded in said member said strip adapted to be connected with the primary coil at one end and termimating in a metal segment at the other, and a brush connected to and carried by said circuit breaker means and adapted to contact with said segment when the .parts are in assembled relation.

18. In a magneto having a rotor, primary and secondary coils adapted to cooperate therewith, a cam operatively connected with said rotor, a circuit breaker for said primary coil actuated by said cam, said circuit breaker comprising reversible parts permitting operation of said magneto in either direction.

19. In a magneto having a rotor, primary and secondary coils adapted to cooperate therewith, a cam operatively connected with said rotor. a circuit breaker for said primary coil actuated by said cam, said circuit breaker comprising a breaker lever, a: contact carried thereby. a stationary contact for cooperation with said first named contact, supporting means for said stationary contact, means for maintaining said breaker lever in reversed position, and means for supporting said fixed taneously cooperating therewith, a separate circuit breaker for each of said primary coils and means for connecting each of said circuit rupting means for said coils, a housing for encasing said magnet and having a bearing for supporting said means, said housing having chambers formed therein intermediate said interrupting means and said bearing, absorbent packing disposed in said chambers, means for conducting lubricant to said packing, and means for thereafter conducting lubricant to said bearing and to said circuit interrupting means by capillary attraction.

24. In combination with a magneto of the type embodying a plurality of coil structures and a magnetic rotor adapted to cooperate therewith, a cam drivably connected with said rotor. circuit breaker mechanism operated by said cam, and lubricating means for said mechanism including a stationary lubricant reservoir and a wick carried by said cam, said wick. when stationary, bein adapted to be saturated by lubricant from the reservoir, and when rotated, being arranged to dispense. lubricant to the circuit breaker operating mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

IVALTER J. SPENGLER.

contact in proper position with respect to said contact carried by said breaker lever when the latter is in reversed position.

20. A contact member comprising an insulated block, a pair of metal sleeves within said block, a metal strip within said block, one end of said strip being connected to one of said sleeves, the other end of said strip terminating exteriorly of said block, and a second metal strip within said block connected with the other of said sleeves. one of the ends of said second strip terminatingin a metal segment exteriorlyof said block.

21. In a magneto having a rotor, primary and secondary coils adapted to cooperate therewith, a cam drivably connected with said rotor, a circuit breaker for said primary coil actuated by said cam, and means for lubricating the surface of said cam including a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant absorbing packing carried by said cam in contact with the lubricant in said reservoir and with the actuating means for said circuit breaker.

22. A dynamo electric machine comprising a plurality of field members, a primary and secondary coil carried by each of said members, a source of magnetic flux relatively movable with respect to said members and simul- 

